the japanese civilian airliners did not recognize the air defense zone. two days later, the united states carriers recognize that in the japanese have thrown up their hands and said what is the united states doing. lou: is a fair question, i believe, of our allies, a degree to which we are prepared to protect our interests in the area. it happens that the japanese who administered that zone over the course of decades, there is also considerable natural resources on the floor of the ocean when we are talking about substantial crude oil reserves and gas and this is worth preserving for the japanese who are utterly energy independent. >> absolutely. there has been prosperity in that part of the world for 20 years in the united states military is helping to provide stability and regional world has been a force for good and that is a harsh reality. we have to stay focused working with our allies and we have to -anage this relationship and we cannot have the chinese pushing our allies around and pushing us around. lou: at least metaphorically, president obama d